Foldable horse for trestle beams



J. G. DAVIS FOLDABLE HORSE FOR TRESTLE BEAMS Filed July 2, 1926 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. G. IDM/BE FOLDABLE HORSE FORA TRESTLE BEAMS Sept. 25 W.,

Filed'July 2, 192s 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Sept. 251i, 1923.

:tanins e. name, on narrato, new venir.

rotnantn scosse non transats enanas.

Application filed. July 2, 1926.* Serial No; lz.

'lhis invention relatesto a foldable horse for supporting the beam Vof.`a trestle and has for itsobject the production `of a horse of this character which is comparatively simple in epnstruction, which canbe readily applied to and detached frOIn a beam for producing a trestle, which can be compactly folded so as to occupy a minimum of space for conven ience in transportation and storage and which with other horses in connection -with a beam permits of erecting a trestle which is strong y and durable and capable of withstanding theY maximum loads which are likely tobe imposed upon the Vsarne.

ln the accompanying drawings z-f- Figure l is a perspective view of a trestle embodying horses constructed in accordance 'with my invention. Y

vFigure 2 is affragmentary side elevation of a trestle showing one of my improved horses applied to the beam. y f

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the correspondingly numbered line in Figure 2,

Figure el is a fragmentary vertical sect-ion,

on an enlarged scale, taken on line aval,

an enlarged scale, taken on the correspond inglv numbered lines in Figure 'l'.

Figure 'l an end view of a trcstle showing 'i one of my improved horses applied to the l beam and in condition for use.

Figure 8 is an end view of a trcstle horse constructed in accordance with my invention and shown in a folded posit-ion ready for `storage or transportation. i i

i Figure 9 is a fragn'ientary vertical longitudinal section taken on line 9-9, Fig. 8. a Figure lllis a similar section taken on line l()l0, Fig; 8.

Figure ll is a fragmentary side elevation v of one of the cheek plates of the trestle horse and the catch mounted thereon for holding '"1 `the clamping bolt in its folded position.v

Figure l2 is a fragment-ary perspective view showing the means for holding the spreading rod when not in use.

in the following description similar char act-ers ol reference indicate like parts in the yseveral figures of the drawing. i

rlhe numerallQ represents the horizontal longitudinal beam of the trestle which may be constructed of any suitable material but preferably consists of a stick of wood of the proper dimensie4 .smwhich is greater in height Figures 5 and 6 are horizontal sections, ony

than width and commonly known as a scantling and having a preferred dimension of two; inches in width and four inches in height, although this is not essential. l i

lo this beam one or more foldable horses are appliedwhich are constructed in accord ance with my invention for the purpose of producing a trestle, two of such horses being shown at opposite ends of the beam for the purpose of illustrating one application of my invention. Although the foldable horse ,containing my improvements may be lvariously constructed so far as its details are concerned that form of the same which is shown in the drawings, as an example, is constructed as follows: l

113, 13 represent the two leaves in a hinge which in their normal operative position are arranged horizontally and parallel lengthwise ofthe beam so as to form a saddle which i is adapted to engage with the underside of the beam and provide a support therefor, as shown in Figures l, 2, 3 and Y. rlhese two leaves are pivotally connected with each other in the manner of a hinge by means of a horizontal pivot pin ll passing lengthwise through corresliionding eyes onv these saddle leaves. The combined width of these two leaves or plates is preferably equal to the width of the beam 12 so as to properly tit the underside of the same, ltl their outer edges these. saddle leaves are provided with downwardly projecting flanges l5 so that cach ofv these saddle plates together with its d'eiending flange forms a section which is of L-shape form.

0n its outer side each of these .saddle sections has secured thereto a check plate which has its central part secured to the depending flange of the respective saddle section by means of a bolt 16 while its upper part 17 projects above the respective saddle section and the lower part 18 of this cheek plate projects downwardly below said saddle section, 'lfhis cheek plate is comparatively long so as to provide a wide bearing surface which' is adapted to engage with the adjacent verticaly side-of the beam, as shown in Figure 2. Arranged vertically on the outer side of each cheek plate is anupright bar which is of ehannelform in' cross section, the hollow or concave side which faces outwardly and which has an upper part 2Q engaging with the upper part l? of the cheek plate and secured thereto and a lower part engaging with the outer side of the lower lpart 18 of the cheek plate and secured thereto. The upper part 20 'ot this bar and the respective upper part 17 ol the cheek plate together form an upwardly projecting jaw on the respective saddle section which is adapted to bear against the outer side of the beamwhile the lower part 21 of this bar forms the upper section of an eXtensible leg for this side of the horse as will be described later on. TVlien the upper portion 17 of each cheek plate and the adjacent upper part 2O ot the respective channel bar are arranged at an angle relative to the lower parts 18 and 21 of this cheek plate and bar so that when the trestle horse parallel and vertical and the jaw K 17 and 2O oi these members will diverge upis folded the leg sections 21 will be arranged portions wardly, as shown in Figure 8, but when the jaw portions 17 ot both cheek plates and the jaw portions 2O of both bars are engaged with opposite sides of the bea-m in the assembled portion of thetrestle, as shown in Figure 7, these jaw portions are arranged vertically and the leg portions 21 diverge downwardly. The jaws of each horse are thus held in engagement with opposite sides oit the beam 12 ytor the purpose ot' firmly gripping the same by retaining the leg portions in a spread position'` This is preferablv accomplished by means which permit of readily folding and unfolding the horse and for this purpose the means shown .in the drawings comprise a i: leg portions 21' together;

.i spreading rod'p22 pivot-ally connected at one end with an eye 23 on one ot the leg portions 21 while the hook 24 at its opposite end engages with an eyef25. on the leg portion of the 'other bar, as shown in Figure 7. ln addition to gripping the beam on its opposite vertical sides means are provided t'or holding the beam lirmly down upon the saddle formed bythe plate sections 13, 13. The preferred means for this purpose consist of a hook bolt having a. shank 26 which is normally arranged in a bracket 27`projecting laterally from each of the saddle .sections a hook 2S arranged at the upper end of the shank 26 and adapted to engage over the top ot the beam, and a screw nut 29 arranged at the lower end of the shank 26 and bearing against the underside of the bracket 27 in the assembled position. of theparts, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 7. For the purpose of dismembering the horse and beam of the trestle ythe nut 29 is loosened so asto permit the shank i and hook of the bolt to be raised sufliciently to disengage the hook from over the beam after whichtlie Iparts caribe easily separated and the horse folded into acompaetposition for storage or transportation.

In yorder toretain the horse in its folded position and also prevent the spreading` rod 22 and the beam clamping bolts from dangling means are `provided :tor locking the two also retainingr the spreading rod definitely in a folded position freelv durine` trans )ortation and storafe without liability of any of its parts becoin ing entangled or inter tering with other parts The means 'tor holding thehorse in its folded position comprises a locking pin 30 which is adapted to pass through the eyes' 23 and 25 ot' the leg portions 21 when the latter arc folded or brought into a position parallel with each other, the two ejf'cs 23 and 25 being sulliciently olfsct vertically relatively to each other to permit the same overlapping one another, as shown in .Figure 8. In order to prevent the locking pin 30 trom becoming lost when the same is not in use a ficxible retaining member 31 is provided preferably in the form ot' a small chain which connects this locking pin with the adjacent part of the main frame, as shown in Figures 1, 7 and 8.

The spreading rod 22 in the folded position ot the horse is turned upwardly along the inner side of the leg portion 21 on which it is pivoted and the same is retained in this position by engaging the hook 25 at its upper end with a catch 32 att-ached to the upper part of the inner side of the respective leg portion 2l, as shown in Figures S and 10.

For shifting the beam clan'iping bolt into a position in which it is out of the way and not liable to interfere with other parts, the shank and hook of this bolt are slipped downwardly in the respective bracket 27 until only `the bill of this hook bolt engages with the upper side of the bracket 27 and the shank is arranged horizontally below the respective saddle section 13 in which position the bolt may be held by engaging the lower end of the same with a catch 33 preferably of hook form mounted on the adjacent inner side ot the* lower part 18 of the respective check plate, as shown in Figure 9. This catch is preferably formed on a vertical pintle 34 which is pivotally mounted on the adjacent part of the respective cheek plate by engaging the upper and lower part ot this pintle with bearings 35, 36 formed on a pivot plate 37 which is secured to the adjacent part of the respective cheek plate by spot welding or other suitable means. as shown in Figure 11. The central part of this pintle is preferably olset, as shown at which prevents this pintle trom becoming displaced vertically and holds the catch thereof reliably in position. When not in use the catch 33 may be folded atwise againstthe inner side ot the lower part 18 of the respective cheek plate, as shown in Figure l1. but when the same is to be used this catch 33 swung at right angles to the respective cheek plate, as shown in Figure 9 for the purpose ot enabling the lower end of the hook bolt 26 to be engaged therewith and thereby Utl llo

llf

reassess prevent this hook bolt from dangling and interferring with other parts while the horse is y being transported or carried about.

ln order to render the trest-le adjustable as to height for adapting the same to ditllerent requiren'ients or ineetdili'erent conditions each oit the upper leg sections 21 is provided with a lower leg section or extension 39 which can be moved vertically on the uppeiI leg section and' then held in place so that the total length ot the leg may be varied to suit requiren'ients.

` ',lhis lower leg section 39 is also preferably lengthwise upon eachother by means of a l i loop a() which preferably consists ot a strip oit n'ietal embracing both oi these leg sections and secured to the wide channel iron by means ot a bolt tl whichalso passes through the loverlapping ends et this strip, as shown in Figure 6. y

lvarious `means may be provided Yl'or holding the upper and lower sections of each adjustable leg in the required relative position t0 suit the desired height oi' the trestle. 'lhe means for this purpose coml'nises a clamping bolt 43 passing tlirough an opening #tl in the lower or narrow leg section while its inner part passes through one or another ot' a longitudinal row of openings l5 in the wide upper leg section. rlhe head 46 oit this bolt is provided with a U-shape clip l' adapted to eiiibrace the inner side of the wide upper leg section and the outer threaded end ot this bolt receives a clamping screw 48 adapted to bear against the. outer side of the narrow leg .sectiom as shown iu Figures l, t2, 5, l and 8. By shitting the bolt lf3 'from one opening 45 to another in the upper wide leg 'section the length of the respective leg may be varied to suit the height of the trestle required and aiter such ad'justn'ient these parts may be tirinly interlocked by tightening the nut 418.

liy providing the clamping bolt t3 with a ll shape clip which embraces the wide leg section the latter together' with the. narrow leg .section embraced thereby are prevented lron'i spreading upon tighteningthe nut al@ and thereby, producing a perfectly rigid leg which strengthens the horse as a whole and reliably Supports the beam mounted on the horse` For the purpose of providing` a wide bearing surface for each lower leg section on the 'loor or ground upon which it rests atoot piece or toe t9 is litted in the lower end ot each leg section 39 and secured thereto by means of screws 50 or otherwise. rllhis toot piece may be made of wood or other suitable material so as not to mar the door upon which the saine rests and it is also provided with a nailliole 52 whereby this toot may be nailed to the floor it this is required in order to prevent the horse from becoming accidentally disd placed and thus insurin(il safety ot the operators who are working on the trestle or scal vlold of which the horse forms a part. i

As a whole this horse is comparatively siniple in construction and composed olf few parts all ol' which ai'e made o1E standard iorins of materials, thereby enabling the horse to be manufactured at low cost. Aside from this the horse when in use forms a reliable support 'for the beam to which it is rigidly connected, thereby insuring safety ot' the operators and it is also possible to easily and quickly set up the horse and attach it to a beam as well as to dismantle the saine when it is no longer required. Furthermore this horse can be very compactly i'olded when not in use and stored away in a con'iparativelyv small space, thereby enabling a larger number o such horses to be transported iii a load than has been possible heretofore, whereby the cost oi" such work when erecting buildings y or like structures is iiiaterially reduced and it` also possible to take care of a larger nuniber of horses in the .same storage space during an inactive period ot the building season.

l claim as my invention l. A toldable horse for supporting a beam to torni a trcstle, comprising a saddle adapted to engage said beam on its underside and composed ot' two loiigitudinal sections which are pivotally connected to swing vertically relatively to each other` jaws projecting upwardly from said saddle sections and adapted to engage with opposite .sides ot said beam, legs projecting downwardly from the saddle sections, and means tor holdingsaid beam down on said saddle comprising a bracket arranged on one oi' said saddle sections anda bolt having a vertical shank passing through said bracket and a hook at the upper end of said shank adapted to engage over the top ol the beam, anda screw nut arraiiged on theV lower end Aof said shank and adapted to engage with the underside ot said bracket.

2. il foldable horse for supporting a bcani to .lorni a trestle, comprising a saddle vadapted to engage said beam onfits underside and composed of two longitudinal sections which are pivotally connected to swing vertically relatively to each other, jaws projecting upwardly troni said saddle sections and adapt ed to engage. with opposite sides ot said beam, legs projecting downwardly from the Saddle sections, means for holdin@- said. beam down on said saddle comprising a bracket arranged on one ol said saddle sections and a bolt having a vertical shank passing through said bracket and a hook at the upper end of said shank adapted to engage over the top ot the beam, and a screw nutarranged on the lower end of said shank and adapted to engage with the underside of said bracket, and means tor lofi lll)

lil() `plates secured to the sections of the saddle and projecting upwardly and downwardly therefrom, upright bars secured to the outer sides ofsaid plates and extending vabove and below the respective saddle sections, the upper parts of said plates and bars termin g jaws for gripping opposite sides of said beams and the lower arts of said plates and bars forming supporting legs, means for holding the beam `down on the saddle comprising a bracket arranged on one of said saddle sections, and

bolt having a shank passing through said bracket and having an upper hook adapted to engage the topV of the beam and a lower screw nutadapted to engage the underside of said bracket, and means for supporting said bolt in a folded position underneath the saddle comprising a catch ladapted to receive said bolt and havingan upright pintle and a base secured to the inner side of one of said plates and provided with Vbearings in which said pintle is journaled. v

4. A foldab-le horse for supporting a beam to form a trestle, comprising a. saddle adapted to engage the underside of the beam and having pivotally connected sections, upright plates secured to the sect-ions rot t-he saddle and projecting upwardly and downwardly therefrom, upright bars secured to the outer sides of said plates and extending above and below therespective saddle sections, the upper parts of said plates and bars forming jaws for gripf )ino' o )osite sides of said beams and the l .is l

lower parts of said plates and bars forming supporting legs, means for holding the beam down on the saddle comprising a bracket arranged on one of said saddle sections, and a bolt having a shank passing through said bracket and having an upper hook adapted to engage the top ot' the beamA and aI lower screw nut adapted to engage the undersideoi said bracket, and means for supporting said bolt in a folded position underneath the saddle comprising` a catch adapted to rece-ive said bolt and having an upright pintle and a base secure-d to the inner side of one of said plates anu provided with bearings in which said pint-le is journaled, said pintle having a lateral ott-set between the bearings in which the same is journaled forming a stop which prevents lengthwise movement o1 said pintle in said bearings.

5. A YFoldable horse for supporting a beam t0 form a trestle, comprising a saddle adapted to engage the under-ide ot the beam, jaws projecting upwardly from the saddle and adapted to grip the sides ot the beam. legs` projecting downwardly from the saddle, means for holding said legs in a spread position, and means for connecting said legs in a. folded position consisting ot two coupling eyes arranged on said .legs and adapted to overlap in the folded position of the legs. and a pin adapted to pass through both of said eyes.

(j. A i'oldable horse for supporting a beam to torni a trestle, comprisingl a saddle adapted to engage the underside ot the beam and having pivotally connected sections, jaws projecting upwardly from said saddle sections and adapted to engage opposite sides oi the beam, legs mounted on said saddle sections and cach having an upper channel section secured to one of said saddle sections, and a lower channel section sliding on the upper channel section, and a coupling bolt adapted to pass through one of said leg sections and different parts of the other leg section, said leg sections having their concave sides facing each other.

7. A ioldable horse tor supportingr a. beam to -torm a trestle, comprising a saddl adapted to engage the underside ot the beam and hav-l ing pivotally connected sections. jaws projecting upwardly from said saddle sections and adapted to engage opposite, sides ot the beam, legs mounted on said saddle sections and each having an upper channel section secured to one ot said saddle sections, and a lower channel section sliding on the upper channel section, a coupling bolt adapted to pass through one of said leg sections and ditterent parts of the other leg section, said leg sections having their concave sides facing each other, and a clip connected with the head ot said bolt and embracing one ot said leg sections to prevent the, leg sections trom spreading.

In testimony whereof I hereby atl'ix my signature.

JAMES G. DAVIS. 

